The suspension of Godfrey Chikwere, Acting General Manager of Legacy FM 95.1 in Ebonyi State, has raised fresh concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to hold public officials accountable without fear of retaliation. Chikwere was suspended over the weekend after publicly criticising Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration on social media and in broadcast content. He accused government appointees of underperformance, poor policy direction, and weak communication strategies, urging the governor to take decisive action to meet his mandate.
Instead of addressing the concerns, the station’s management suspended Chikwere for “unruly behaviour” and “violation of internal conduct,” instructing him to hand over all station property. The decision has drawn criticism from media stakeholders, who warn that it sets a dangerous precedent for silencing journalists. The state government, through the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, rejected Chikwere’s criticisms, pointing to its support for the station, including the donation of a vehicle and infrastructure upgrades.
However, critics maintain that government support must never undermine journalistic independence. They argue that the incident underscores the urgent need for broader conversations about safeguarding free speech and protecting media professionals in Nigeria.
